Mechanism for raising the cutter-bars of mowing-machines



(No Model.)

G. H. PRATT.

MECHANISM FOR RAISING THE CUTTER BARS 0F MOWING MAGHINES. No. 500,945.

Patented July 4, 18Q3.

wvcmaooeo NITED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

GEORGE H. PRATT, OE MCLANE, PENNSYLVANIA.

MECHANISM FOR RAISING THE CUTTER-BARS )F MOWING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 500,945, dated July 4, 1893. Application filed March 8, 1893. Serial No. 465,085. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGEII. PRATT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Me- Lane, in the county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanism for Raising the Cutter-Bars of Mowing-Machines; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to cutter-bar elevating mechanism for mowing-machines.

The object of the invention is to facilitate the raising and lowering of the cutter-bar and p, obtainan increased amplitude of movement ofthe same without a corresponding increase of movement of the operating-lever.

A further purpose of the invention is to obtain these objects by a simple combination of parts which will not add materially to the cost of the machine or necessitate the addition of parts which will interfere with the efficiency or impair the successful operation of the machine.

The invention consists essentially of a movable support carrying the guide-pulley over which the elevating chain or cable passes that is connected with the cutter-bar, for the purpose of elevating the latter.

The invention also consists in a single lever for simultaneously actuating the said movable support and the elevating chain.

The invention further consists of a spring in combination with the said movable support, to partially carry the load and assist in the adjustment of the cutter-bar.

The invention further consists in the novel features and in the peculiar construction, arrangement and adaptation of parts, which will hereinafter be more fully described and claimed, and which are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front view of a mowing machine embodying my improvement. Fig.2, is a top plan view of the cutter-bar elevating mechanism. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the operating lever.

is of the usual con- The mowing machine struction, and the cutter barA adapted to be vertically adjusted, being actuated by the elevating chain 0, and the operating lever B. The movable support D is conveniently disposed and mounted on the frame work of the machine, and carries the guide-pulley 01 over which the elevating chain or cable 0 passes. This support D is pivoted between its ends, one of which ends carries the guide-pulley cl and the other being connected with the operating-lever B. The standard d to which the support D is pivoted, is constructed to embrace the sides of the said support and guide it in its various movements. The guide E near the outer end of the support is constructed in a like manner to the standard (1' to brace the support laterally and guide it in its movements. I

The operating lever B is mounted in the ordinary manner, and is provided with the usual hand latch to engage with the notched se ment F for the purpose of holding the lever in the desired position. The segment head b at the lower end of the lever is grooved or channeled to retain the chain or cable 0 in position. The hook or projection 12 at one end of the head 1) receives the end of the elevating chain or cable which is attached thereto. The lug b at the opposite end of the head I),

has the inner end of the support D connectedtherewith by means of a link 6 orother means. Obviously, on operating the lever B the inner end of the support D will be depressed and the outer end elevated and the chain or cable 0 will be drawn upon to elevate the cutterbar. As, the chain is drawn upon the raising of the guide-pulley at will at the same time lift the outer end of the said chain, thereby producing a two-fold action on the cutter-bar by the combined action of the chain and the movable support. The spring G is constructed to draw down upon the inner end of the pivoted support and materially assist in carrying the load and relieving the operator of the greater part of the weight when adjusting the cutter-bar.

Having thus described my inventiomwhat I claim to be new is 1. In a mowing-machine, the combination with the cuttenbar, a lever and chain for elevating the cutter-bar, of a movable support provided with a guide pulley for the said chain to pass over, and having connection with the said lever to be actuated thereby, substantially as set forth.

2. In a mowing-machine, the combination with the cutter-bar, a lever and chain for elevating the same, of a pivoted support provided at one end with a guide-pulley for the said chain to pass over, and having its other end connected with the said lever, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. In a mowing-machine, the combination with the cutter-bar and a movable support connected with the said cutter-bar, of a lever having independent connection with the cutter bar and with the said movable supportand constructed to simultaneously actuate the cutter-bar and the movable support, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In a mowing machine, the combination with a cutter-bar, a movable support carrying a guide-roller, and achain, of a lever havlng a segment provided with a projection at one end to receive the said chain and having a lug at the opposite end to form means of connection for said movable support, substantially as set forth.

5. In a mowing-machine, the combination of a pivoted support embraced on both sides by the standard to which thesaid support is pivoted, a guide at the outer end of the support, a guide-pulley, a chain passing over the guide-pulley and connected with the cutterbar, and a lever having independent connection with the said chain and the support, subtantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE H. PRATT.

Witnesses:

HENRY N. BABBITT, FRANK AVERY. 

